Unstoppable Review: Critics brand Anthony Robles' inspiring sports story as 'bland' and 'formulaic' as J-Lo's latest film tanks at the UK box office

It might be a remarkable story, tailor made for a Hollywood film, however the reviews for Unstoppable have fallen flat with critics branding the film 'bland' and 'formulaic'. 

The film follows the inspiring story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), a young sports star who is born with only one leg and overcomes the prejudices of those around him and his own physical limitations to become a champion wrestler. 

While coaches at the top wrestling programs couldn´t see his potential, he was undeterred, coasting on his own determination and his mother Judy's (Jennifer Lopez) unwavering belief in him.

However Unstoppable has tanked at the UK box office and dropped out of cinemas after just one week.

Unfortunately the film pulled in a lowly £3,112 for its entire opening weekend in the UK - and was the 55th most-watched movie on its release.

After its poor show at the UK box office, Unstoppable dropped out of cinemas on its second week, according to The Sun.

Yet with critics the film sees to have received rather average reviews as The Guardian's Benjamin Lee was left underwhelmed by the biopic. 

He wrote: 'But more often the film is content to be just as bland and boilerplate as the many, many against-all-odds crowd-pleasers that have come before it.'

Describing the dialogue as 'pedestrian', Benjamin concluded: 'Robles isn’t hard to root for but Unstoppable, a rousing yet overdone biopic, tries too hard to get us there anyway.'

Despite praising J-Lo and lead star Jharrel Jerome's performance, John Nugent described it as 'reassuringly formulaic,'. 

He penned: 'this is a straightforwardly inspirational-by-numbers sports movie, made watchable thanks to Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez.'

Meanwhile The Sun's Laura Stott wrote: 'This triumph-over-adversity tale, based on a true story, doesn’t break new ground, but if you’re after a feel-good watch, it certainly delivers.'

Noting the clichés she added: 'There are Rocky-style training homages and characters trot out clichéd motivational soundbites and locker room pep talks about chasing dreams.'

However Variety gave the film a more positive review, as they praised the 'extraordinary' story and added it is J-Lo's fullest performance to date. 

Owen Gleiberma wrote: 'The true story it tells is nothing short of extraordinary, and that may be why the filmmakers didn’t feel the need to overhype it. 

'At home, Anthony relies on his mother, Judy, played by Lopez in what may be the fullest screen performance she has ever given.'

He concluded: 'By the end, though, you might just get a touch of that real-life “Rocky” feeling, because the movie has earned it.'

The Times also praised the singer's performance as Kevin Maher writes: 'Lopez has given standout supporting performances in U-Turn, Out of Sight and An Unfinished Life, yet none has been as accomplished and quietly effective as her role as a downtrodden working-class mum in this rousing underdog story.'

Believing the film actually avoids the usual sports film clichés, he concluded: 'For the most part Unstoppable manages to dodge that formula. 

'Until it doesn’t — the ending is very Hollywood. However, it’s also, it transpires, very true-to-life.'